Hackers Can Hijack High-End Cameras

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Most average tech users know to look out for hacks and hijacks on
their computers and phones, but it can be easy to overlook other
devices. Almost every complex gadget runs on an operating system
of some kind, and can thus be compromised. Fancy digital
single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras are no exception.

DSLR cameras, which straddle the line between consumer and
professional tech, cost a pretty penny. For that price, users
expect a number of features, including independent wireless
access. The ability to upload photos directly from a camera is a
double-edged sword, however, as hackers have discerned a way to
take control of a
camera remotely.

High-end cameras facilitate this hijack through the use of a
Wireless File Transmitter (WFT). This server allows users to
connect to the Internet directly through the camera without the
tedious process of transferring pictures via a USB cable. The
downside is that the WFT is obscenely easy to hack.

The WFT server contains all photos and movies that a user has
taken, which means that it's quite easy for hackers to copy this
media and either keep it for themselves or post it without
permission. In addition to raising basic privacy concerns, this
could be especially harmful for photos of a sensitive nature
(such as nude shots) or copyrighted material (such as magazine
content).

However, some DSLRs, Canons in particular, have such simple OSes
that hackers can go well beyond the WFT. Canon programs the basic
functions for its camera in standard Picture Transfer Protocol
(PTP) language, which means that any image programmer worth his
salt can play havoc with finelytuned camera settings, from
exposure and aperture to deletion protocols.
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In fact, the hacker who discovered
this exploit said that he could likely do even more with a camera
if given some time to experiment. Remotely turning the camera on
and off or even taking unauthorized photos and video are hardly
out of the question. This particular hacker wants only to test
the limits of the software, but not every code expert will have
such noble goals.

Unlike phones and computers, there does not appear to be an easy
preventative measure for this hack. Just remember that hackers
can only access the WFT if they share the same Wi-Fi network with
you. So think twice before uploading your photos using public
Wi-Fi, and make sure that your home Wi-Fi is properly secured.